Yaupon Capital Management LP Has $27.91 Million Stock Position in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC)

Yaupon Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 2.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 118,902 shares of the railroad operator's stock after acquiring an additional 2,997 shares during the quarter. Norfolk Southern comprises about 1.2% of Yaupon Capital Management LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Yaupon Capital Management LP owned about 0.05% of Norfolk Southern worth $27,906,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NSC. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Keystone Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Atlantic Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Norfolk Southern during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 75.10% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on NSC shares. UBS Group lowered their target price on Norfolk Southern from $284.00 to $275.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Loop Capital downgraded Norfolk Southern from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $289.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $250.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup cut their price target on Norfolk Southern from $298.00 to $259.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $265.00 to $247.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $266.10.

Insider Buying and Selling at Norfolk Southern

In other news, Director Gilbert H. Lamphere purchased 607 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $259.86 per share, for a total transaction of $157,735.02. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,487 shares in the company, valued at approximately $646,271.82. This trade represents a 32.29 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Norfolk Southern Trading Down 2.2 %

Shares of NSC stock traded down $5.03 on Friday, reaching $221.65. 1,306,890 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,254,654. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $230.35 and a 200 day moving average price of $244.92. The stock has a market cap of $54.65 billion, a PE ratio of 19.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.30. Norfolk Southern Co. has a one year low of $201.63 and a one year high of $277.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.72 by ($0.03). Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 21.63% and a return on equity of 20.04%. The business had revenue of $2.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.01 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 2nd will be given a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 2nd. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.44%. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio is 36.89%.

Norfolk Southern Profile

Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal.